As New Zealanders prepare to vote in their national election, the issue of abortion — and the views of the Catholic Prime Minister — were put front and centre. Meanwhile, Pope Francis is seeking to empower local bishops’ conferences and protect the planet, through separate initiatives. In the US, religious affiliation numbers are seeing a drift away from Christianity and a rise of Latino Catholics. We’re not sure any of those faithful Catholics would choose to baptise their children in a sporting trophy, but an NHL champion has. Enjoy the show

All eyes will be on the Vatican later this month when Pope Francis plays host to President Donald Trump, with the discussion predicted to cover some uncomfortable territory for the latter. Closer to home, New Zealand Catholic education leaders are looking at how best to support “unChurched” young people in their quest for faith. Across the Tasman Sea in Sydney, it was supporting pregnant women that inspired pr0-life advocates to fight proposed abortion laws. Back in Europe, Pope Francis has canonised two of the Fatima visionaries on the 100th anniversary of the first apparitions. In between time, the Holy Father found time to record a TED talk, in which he spoke about the importance of leaders who had generosity and fairness in their hearts. Join Anna, Don, James and Gavin as they navigate those stories in this month’s episode.

Pope Francis continues to be a media darling, with Rolling Stone magazine the latest publication to run a glowing piece on the Pontiff as he approaches the one-year anniversary of his election. But, as this article from The Week explains, there were quite a few errors and exaggerations in the article. Pope Francis has also been in the news with his appointment of his first group of new cardinals, and he’s also talked of the Internet — our medium of communicating with the world — is a “gift from God”. We find it hard to disagree with him. James, Shannon, Don and Gavin also talk about the death of a New Zealand bishop and a survey of Catholics in Germany and Switzerland. Enjoy the show.

It was one of the most newsworthy moments of Pope Francis’s pontificate — the interview heard around the world. When the Holy Father sat down with fellow Jesuit priest Fr Antonio Spadaro, the two discussed a wide range of topics, and much of what was spoken about became water-cooler conversation around the world. James, Don and Gavin chat about that interview, Pope Francis’s intervention to save lives in Argentina a couple of decades ago and Pope Benedict’s decision to write a letter to a journalist who had questioned the former Pope’s efforts to combat abuse. Those stories and more in this month’s episode of The 15th Station.

Four years after his last appearance, Father Roderick Vonhogen returns to Rendition Studios for this month’s episode of The 15th Station. Along with James, Shannon and Gavin, topics for discussion include Pope Francis leading a day of prayer and fasting for Syria, the Holy Father’s appointment of a new secretary of state and efforts in New Zealand to address youth unemployment. Two religious orders kissing and making up and the papal “selfie” are also on the list of topics. Enjoy the show — and tell you friends about The 15th Station 🙂

Can atheists get to heaven? Can a group of Catholics call their Catholic group “Catholic”? Can Pope Francis continue his charmed run with the media when he makes his first overseas trip next month? Can Catholics still be members of the Boy Scouts of America? And can someone without any pants parody the Pope? A series of fascinating questions — and some interesting answers — on this month’s episode with James, Helen, Don and Gavin. And if you’re looking for John Allen’s preview (mentioned in the show) of the challenge facing Pope Francis ahead of World Youth Day, you can find it here.

In the May 2013 episode of The 15th Station, James, Helen, Don and Gavin talk about the latest statistics that show the Catholic Church is growing faster than the rate of population growth, and the number of seminarians, priests and bishops is growing with it. Another thing that’s growing is the number of relationships New Zealanders can consider marriage, with the passage of legislation allowing same-sex marriage. Some of the arguments against such moves are outlined in this piece, What is Marriage?, which Don mentions in the show. The panel also discusses Pope Francis’s upcoming trip to South America, the Church’s view on economic matters and the story that’s gone viral — a three-year-old Colombian boy who celebrates Mass.

To cover possibly the biggest story in the history of The 15th Station, we had to think big. So we went even more international than normal, with Lucy in Asia and Gavin in Australia joining studio-bound James and Brendan to discuss the Pope’s surprise announcement, start a bit of crystal-ball gazing and reflect a little on Benedict’s papacy. The Los Angeles archbishop’s decision to relieve his predecessor of his duties, a milestone Mass in New Zealand and an unusual Catholic school oath also fill a bumper episode — complete with technical difficulties.

It’s been a big month for Pope Benedict — the man himself, and a caricature of him in New Zealand. The panel chats in this Christmas episode of The 15th Station about the Pope’s new book on Jesus, Benedict featuring in an ad for a power company that seems to promote gay marriage (and the reaction from the Church to that), as well as his new document looking at Catholic identity. There’s also reflection on a New Zealand Anglican bishop getting a new post at the Vatican and a new take on the New Evangelisation.

A new study suggests many young New Zealanders might be becoming more religious while other peers are turning away from faith. Which will win out? The panel discusses that research and analyses the possible impact of Pope Benedict’s trip to Cuba, as well as the semiannual controversial billboard from a prominent Anglican parish in Auckland. We’d love to hear from our listeners, so feel free to post comments with your feedback.

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The 15th Station is our active monthly news podcast. We get a panel of Kiwi Catholics together to provide a Catholic perspective on the news and current events of the month.

Catechiwi is our archived catechesis podcast where we get a guest theologian from around the country or the world to speak on an aspect of the Catholic Faith.

Ignition leverages our partnerships with organisations like Hearts Aflame to provide a back catalogue of amazing lectures and talks from international speakers. We divide these talks up into multi-part podcasts.